Targeted Biologic Therapy Clinic
Come to Yang Medicine to get education, support, and counselling for targeted biologic therapies. Our knowledgeable allergists, immunologists, and specialty-trained nurses will work with you to get the care you need in our state-of-the-art facility—recognized by pharmaceutical companies, like Novartis and Sanofi Genzyme, as a ‘center of excellence’.
Consult your family physician or specialist for a referral to our Targeted Biologic Therapy Clinic, scroll down to read more about our targeted therapies, or contact us for more information.
Tel: (613) 725-2102, ext. 241
Fax: (613) 725-0317
E-mail: tbtclinic@yangmedicine.com
Allergic asthma
Allergic asthma is a type of asthma. In people with this condition, certain types of allergens such as dust, pets and molds, can trigger asthma attacks and symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
IgE (immunoglobulin E) is a substance that plays an important role in allergic asthma. If you have allergic asthma, your body makes more IgE when you breathe in an allergen that triggers your asthma. This can cause a series of chemical reactions which result in:
Constriction of the Airways: The muscle surrounding your airway begins to tighten.
Inflammation of the Airways: Your airway becomes irritated and swells up.
Xolair (Omalizumab) is a biologic medication that has been shown to significantly decrease the incidence of asthma attacks in some people with allergic asthma. It works by helping to block IgE from causing the reactions the can lead to asthma attacks and symptoms before they start.
Xolair is prescribed for people with the following criteria:
Children and adults (6 years of age and above)
Moderate to severe persistent asthma
Positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen
Symptoms inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids
Below normal pulmonary function tests
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) is a skin condition that presents as hives that usually have a raised ring around them. These hives are persistent, long lasting, often have no known cause, appear and disappear, and are often associated with itching & burning sensations.
Omalizumab (Xolair) is used to treat people with CIU whose symptoms are not well controlled with antihistamines. Xolair works by blocking IgE. By binding to IgE, Xolair reduces the activation of cells in the body and the release of histamine and other chemicals. Xolair helps reduce symptoms of CIU, including itching and hives. Xolair is prescribed for people who meet the following criteria:
Adults and adolescents (12 years and older)
Itching and hives that last for 6 weeks or more
Unresponsive to high doses of antihistamines
Eosinophilic asthma
Eosinophilic asthma is a type of severe asthma, where there are increased levels of Eosinophils in the blood and/or airways. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can cause airways to become inflamed, which can cause asthma to worsen or increase the number of asthma attacks.
Mepolizumab (Nucala) is a biologic medicine that is used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma, in combination with other asthma medications. It contains the medicine Mepolizumab, which works by blocking a protein called interleukin-5 (IL-5). By blocking IL-5 it limits the production off more eosinophils in the bone marrow and lowers the number of eosinophils in the blood, lungs, and tissues. Nucala is prescribed or people who meet the following criteria:
Adults and adolescents (18 years of age and above)
Inadequately controlled with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and an additional controller
Has a blood Eosinophil count ≥300 cells/ µL AND has experienced ≥2 clinically significant exacerbations in the past 12 months. OR
Has blood Eosinophil count ≥150 cells/µL upon initiation of treatment AND is receiving daily maintenance treatment with oral corticosteroids.
Benralizumab (Fasenra)- is a biologic medicine that is used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma, in combination with other asthma medications. It works by attaching to Eosinophils, reducing their levels in the blood and lungs. Fasenra is prescribed for people who meet the following criteria:
Adults and adolescents (18 years of age and above)
Has a blood Eosinophil count ≥300 cells/ µL AND experienced ≥2 clinically significant exacerbations in the past 12 months. OR
Has blood Eosinophil count ≥150 cells/µL AND treated chronically with oral corticosteroids.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of eczema, a chronic skin condition. It presents as itchy patches of skin that are dry, red, itchy, and inflamed. The cause of AD is not known. A general understanding of AD is that there are too many inflammatory cells present in the skin, and can lead to the development of symptoms.
Dupilumab (Dupixent) is a biologic medication used to treat patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. It works by blocking the action of two proteins called interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, which play a major role in the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Dupixent is prescribed for patients who meet the following criteria:
Adolescents and adults (18 years and above)
Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
Inadequately controlled with topical medications